Game



T. P. BARRETT.

V, GAME.

/ APPLICATION FlLED NOV. 6,1920. 1 ,408,065, Patented Feb. 28, 1922.

IN 522N701? 1 BY W ORNEY. Y

'lE-ZGMAS IE. BARRETT, O

F ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

Specification of Letters Yatent.

Patented Feb. 28, 1922.

Application filed November '3, 1920. Serial No. 422,177.

170' ((ZZ whom it may concern Be it known that I, 'ii roims P. BARRETT, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Iniprovements in Games, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is a gamenpparatus, which is adapted for playing a new game, called skirmish. This game is played in a manner somewhat, but not closely, resembling checkers.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, like numbers of reference denote like parts wherever they occur.

The figure in the drawings denotes a playing-board (like a checkerboard) 1, with checkers 2 thereon. The captains 3 are indicated by the circles -l thereon. The squares 5 may be of any form, either hexagonal, as shown in the drawing, or circular, square, or triangular or of other form.

The squares 5 are marked. off from each other by lines 6 or other suitable means, and

are preferably of two colors or, otherwise distinguished as the light and the dark. in the original set-up of the men, the checkers or men 2 (including the. captains 3) are placed upon the light squares, while the dark squares are left unoccupied.

The captains 3 are placed in the center of their men, so that the men can be used to protect them.

The moves are always forward for the or dina-ry men, but either backward or forward by the captains 3. Unlike checkers, move may be made to any square, either directly forward or obliquely forward. In the game of checkers, moves are made only on diagonals, but in this game the moves may be made diagonally or in a straight line.

The original position of the opposing forces is quite unlike the placement in the game of checkers. Such original arrangement of the men can be best understood by inspection of the drawing, in which it will be perceived that eighteen men on each side are placed in six groups of three each and that they are placed on light squares, three in a row and contiguous to each other, and separated from the next group of three light squares by dark squares, which dark squares are so placed that the men can be moved in accordance with the rules of the game from such light squares to dark squares. One dark square intervenes between the heads of each opposing column. Each captain is free to move forward in a straight line accordii'ig to this original arrangement, but can not jump his own men. hen the board becomes more free, he can move di agonally as well as on a straight line and either backward or forward.

The checkers or men 2 are divided into two forces or parties by different coloration or other appropriate marking means. The men or checkers Zare distinguished by the name soldiers from the captains 3.

In the first place, the game consists oi": moving the men forward, as above prescribed, and capturing as many men of the opposing side as possible by jumping them, as in checkers. In order to jump it is necessary that there shall be avacant square or space behind the man to be jumped.

The moves are alternately made, first by one side and then the other, one square at :1 time.

The soldiers can not retreat. They must either advance or capture an opposing man. The captains may retreat, if necessary, to avoid capture.

The objective of the game is to capture the opposing captain, which, when accomplished, ends the game.

hen a soldier has reached, by moving, the farthest line" on the opposite side of the board he is promoted to he himself a captain, with the same privileges. as an original captain 3 as to moving in any dl. rection.

Any piece that is jumped is removed from the board. hen one side has thus lost quite a number of men or soldiers, the captain 3 on that side is more exposed to cap ture.

The game becomes more interesting as soldiers become promoted to be captains.

The checkers 2 are small flat pieces of suitable material, and are preferably round; but other shapes may be used. One upon another indicates a soldier promoted to be a captain, while the original captains are preferably provided with a distinguishing mark.

Having thus described this invention, I hereby reserve the benefit of all changes in form, arrangement, order, or use of parts, as it is evident that many minor changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of this invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

l. A game-apparatus comprising a board divided into a plurality of spaces and playing counters divided by insignia into two opposing forces, having in each such force n especially designated leader, the spaces on which the said counters are originally set up being of a dilterent characterization from those left vacant in such original set-up and being arranged in spaced groups.

2. A game apparatus comprising a board divided into a plurality of spaces and playing counters divided by insignia into tw opposing forces, having in each such force an especially designated leader, the spaces on which said counters are originally 'set up being of a different charact rization from those left vacant in such original set-up and being arranged in separated groups of contiguous spaces.

3. A game apparatus comprising a board divided into a plurality or" spaces and playing counters divided by insignia into two opposing forces, having in each such force being of a different characterization from v those left vacant in such original set-up and being arranged in separated rectilinear rows of contiguousspaces.

5. A game-apparatus comprising a board divided into a plurality of spaces and playing counters divided by insignia into two opposing forces, having in each such force an especially designated leader, the spaces on which the said counters are originally set up being of a different characterization from those left vacant in such original setup and being arranged in groups with an additional space in the center for such leader. f

In testimony whereof Ihereunto affix my signature.

' l THOMAS P. BARRETT. 

